Page 80 of Compromise & Consequence
“Fear not, Jane. I have been well taken care of not only by my father but also byAbuelos.”
“Your grandfather? How do you mean?”
“I have over eighty thousand pounds in the bank, along with family jewels which are passed down from mother to daughter. I have not seen all of them, but have been told their value exceeds sixty thousand pounds.”
“Oh my…” Jane whooshed out softly before bringing her hand up to her throat.
“Yes, oh my.” Elizabeth smiled. “I also have an estate.”
“I heard as much last night. You said it was in Hertfordshire. Where is it located? Have I ever been there?”
“You spent almost a full week there, although you were not in the pink of health at the time.”
“Netherfield Park?” Jane’s eyes widened. “You own Netherfield Park?”
“Yes.”
Complete silence fell between the cousins, then Jane began to laugh. She laughed until tears formed and then laughed some more. Elizabeth could not help herself, so she joined in. This was how the two gentlemen found them.
“What is so funny?” Darcy demanded, even though his lips quirked in tandem with their laughter and subsequent hiccups.
Elizabeth, wiping tears from her eyes, responded with, “Oh, husband, I have just told Jane about Netherfield Park.”
Her heart fluttered madly in her chest at the wide smile that graced his face, causing his dimples to appear and she was struck anew at how handsome her husband truly was.
***
She called him husband. Not Mr. Darcy, but husband!
It took every bit of his vaunted self-control to steady his breathing and not drag her up against his body to kiss her senseless in front of their respective cousins. Instead, he smiled and moved with a modicum of calm to sit in the chair beside the love of his life.
“Will you ladies stay as we break our fast?” he asked as he settled in beside Elizabeth.
“Of course, although we do have to change before we meet up with Aunt Lucinda and Georgiana later today,” she answered, seemingly not minding that his shoulder brushed hers ever so slightly.
“What do you have planned?” Richard asked.
“I am not sure. Your mother has an itinerary for my introduction into society. I believe we shall visit a few shops. Aunt Lucinda has decided to take a soft approach over the next few weeks before we storm the fortress of Almack’s and itspatronesses.”
“Might Richard and I join you? At least for a portion of the day. It would lend credence to our marital felicity and grease the wheels of your social carriage.”
“I have no qualms over you joining us, although I suspect that as soon as we approach Hatchard’s, you will forget you have a wife and sister.”
“I will never forget I have you in my life, Elizabeth.”
His voice was low, meant only for her, and her eyes widened, the pupils dilating. Pleasure skimmed through his whole being at her outward acceptance of a light flirt. She blinked quickly when Richard cleared his throat.
“Do you mind, Miss Bennet, if a crusty old soldier encroaches on your time with your cousin?”
“I do not mind, Colonel.”
Darcy watched as Jane held Richard’s gaze before lowering her eyes and blushing slightly. What he wouldn’t give for his wife to look at him with the same yearning. He then caught Elizabeth observing him with astute eyes. Almost as if she knew what he was thinking. No, that could not be true, for if she did, she would run for protection behind a very secure door.
He rose and attended the sideboard, filling a plate before rejoining his wife at the table. As he pulled in his chair, he also jigged it so that he sat closer to her and their legs brushed against each other beneath the table. Her cheeks turned a delightful light pink and he tucked into his food feeling very satisfied with himself. However, all good things must come to an end and the ladies excused themselves to change for the day.
“Are you not a little too old to play footsie beneath the table,” Richard teased as soon as the women cleared the room.
“Upset that you did not think of doing the very same thing?”
